Focusing on Historical Musicology, this is a community coming together to share scholarly research about music and its origins. Open discussion of music philosophy, theoretical sociology, aesthetics of music, cultural and gender studies, performance, literature, theatre, theory, analysis, and theology. Understanding is the goal of this community and civil discourse the standard method of communication. We welcome anyone with a burning desire for discovery and a thirst for knowledge. Welcome to r/musicology!

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Not sure this falls within the legitimate topics discussed in this subreddit (if not, sorry, and can you suggest where to post?)

I'm looking for good literature on musical practice. Specifically on instrument practice, meaning "how do musicians learn how to play and achieve mastery over an instrument". I'm interested in refining and answering such questions as:

How is mastery over an instrument achieved?

How have the methods of teaching/learning an instrument evolved?

How have the great virtuosos attained such mastery and do their methods differ drastically from those of "regular" performers?

I'm interested both in historical, anecdotal evidence (e.g., letters/memoires of great virtuosos reflecting upon their practice methods, or teachers writing on their teaching methods) and current scientific literature (which would fall more under the category of psychology of music, I suppose).